It's a bit confusing because all full versions will allow access to both sides (all full versions also come with a free month of play). It really comes down to what extras you want. Because the Architect edition comes with a free booster (either magic or cyborg) if you like those packs, then that's what you should get.
CoH and CoV are linked. You could buy the original boxed edition of CoH and still get CoV, once the updater downloaded all the game updates that have come out since then (which would take forever).
Your best bet is the Architect Edition, it's the most recent boxed build available and thus will require the least amount of time to update. You'll miss out on the GvE goodies but those are available as a separate code that can be applied to your account if you absolutely must have them.
"You don't lose levels. You don't have equipment to wear out, repair, or lose, or that anyone can steal from you. About the only thing lighter than debt they could do is have an NPC walk by, point and laugh before you can go to the hospital or base." -Memphis_Bill
We will honor the past, and fight to the last, it will be a good way to die...
Any version, even if you find an old box with an unused serial code from 2004, will give you access to both heroes and villains, including Architect Edition, or the Mac edition (which works on PCs too!) or the Good vs. Evil Edition.
If you want to keep your trial characters, make sure you UPGRADE your trial account with the box code.
If you buy any of the other editions later, you UPGRADE your existing account with the new code, and it will add 30 days time, and the specific Edition goodies.
You can only use a particular edition once on your account.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
All editions of the game are the same, except for a few minor goodies. You can access City of Heroes, City of Villains, and the Architect with any valid version. You don't need the Architect edition to access the Architect. You also don't need a Mac to get the Mac Pack.
City of Villains used to work like an expansion pack, but now it's all the same game. The only expansion pack now is Going Rogue, which hasn't come out yet.
For the confused, here is a list of the disc releases with links to what each box contains: http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Disc_Releases
...I forgot what experience means.
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Also, just to clarify, you won't need to reload from the discs if you still have your trial installed. Just Upgrade your account with the new code.
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"Chew Electric Death, Snarling Cur!"
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Also, just to clarify, you won't need to reload from the discs if you still have your trial installed. Just Upgrade your account with the new code.
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I was just about to mention this.
UPGRADE! (This point is hammered home quite a bit because there used to be a lot of people making the mistake of adding a new account and thus losing the characters from the original trial account.)
If you've been playing on a trial account, you already have the full game installed. The only difference between the versions - Good vs Evil (GvE), Architect Edition (AE), Mac Version, or even an older City of Villains edition - is the goodies you get with them.
As was mentioned, the AE gives a free booster pack between either the Magic or Cyborg boosters. I'm not sure what other goodies are associated with it. But it does have the most recent build of the game available on disc should you need to reinstall at some point. (If you are planning a reinstall, it is recommended that you copy the current installation so it doesn't take days to download all of the updates. There is a player guide for that process.)
Personally, I like the Mac Edition because of the Valkyrie costume sets and the Mission Teleporter.
It should also be mentioned that you are not limited to any particular edition or booster pack. You can feasibly - and many people do - upgrade an account with several different editions and get the goodies from each. It should be pointed out that this is a sickness among some of us. 
By the way, if you believe you are going to be playing for quite some time, I also recommend getting your time in bulk. I pay yearly for the most savings, but 3-month and 6-month blocks also give discounts.
Welcome to the game!
Test Subject 42 - lvl 50 Sp/DA Scrapper
Oku No Te - lvl 50 MA/SR Scrapper
Borg Master - lvl 24 Bots/traps MM
Pinnacle
Nyghtfyre - lvl 50 DM/SR Scrapper
Champion
Since the game is account based, you can go to any computer that has CoH installed, use your login/password, and there will be all your characters, all your extras, and so forth. Another player using their login/password will get their stuff.
EDIT: You did a smart thing coming here for questions. We like new players, and want new players to have a good experience, so generally we try to answer questions.
Other good sources of information is www.paragonwiki.com (which even the game developers use!) and the help channel.
/hc How do I get a jetpack at level 5?
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
Hi guys,
I just recently downloaded the trial version and after a day I think I'm ready to buy but I had some issues/questions.
I went to the site where I'm supposed to be able to architect and play stories others have written but all the computers tell me that I don't have access. This is even after going through the long "mission" talking to everyone. Is this because I only have a trial account or am I missing something?
After the initial launch of the game it tells you how to move, etc. but I can't find this list of commands anywhere in the game. Can I look up and down?
I read about Strike Forces and they sound cool but how do you go about finding people and coordinating them? Does CoH have a voice-chat option? Trying to play and reading that little box don't seem to work very well.
Sorry for all the questions and if this is the wrong place to post them but I'm a bit lost on the whole game, there's so much to do in it.
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I went to the site where I'm supposed to be able to architect and play stories others have written but all the computers tell me that I don't have access. This is even after going through the long "mission" talking to everyone. Is this because I only have a trial account or am I missing something?
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Correct. You can play AE missions if you're on a team that is running them, but people on trial accounts can't start the missions, or create their own.
If you hold down the right mouse button and move the mouse, it changes your camera angle.
Welcome to CoH/CoX !!
Well, this is TopDoc we're talking about. TopDoc would respec to gain 3 points of damage per day. - Arcanaville
Yeah - Trial accounts cannot access those terminals - it's to prevent them from making RMT ADVERT arcs, basically.
Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net
Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.
There is no integral voice chat in CoH. Myself and my friends run Skype. Others use Ventrillo, or TeamSpeak.
If the text size is too small, you can change it in options. If you see a lot of useless information or loudmouths in certain channels, you can edit the chat tabs to only show certain channels. And ignore loudmouths or annoying people by using the /ignore Loudmouthname command.
Strike Forces have a minimum team size, and minimum level for all team members. There is also "maximum" level. Those over that level at the start, or who surpass that level during the Strike Force are "autoexemplared" meaning they become restricted to the powers they would have at the max level, and no longer gain xp while on the strike force.
Check out more details on Strike Forces at www.paragonwiki.com
Strike Forces members are typically recruited through supergroups, or server channels, or the team search functions (and asking politely), broadcast, or through the server forums.
Heck, blow smoke signals out your window, if it works!
Strike forces can consist of your group members, online friends, or Pick-Up Groups, or some mix.
Strike Forces can be fun and rewarding, but they can also be difficult, either based on the written challenges, or less than stellar teammates.
EDIT: Some folks have run strike forces so often, they pretty much have them memorized. It's a good idea to let others know that you've never done this one before, so they don't leave you in the dust, wondering what to do, where to go, or what tactics to use against the tough obstacles.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
Awesome. Thanks for help guys. I've already upgraded to a real account and trying to get some friends to join.
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Awesome. Thanks for help guys. I've already upgraded to a real account and trying to get some friends to join.
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Remember to send them invites to the game per NCSoft. If they join from your invitation, you get another free month. FRIENDSHIP HAS NEVER BEEN SO CAPITALISTIC.
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Awesome. Thanks for help guys. I've already upgraded to a real account and trying to get some friends to join.
[/ QUOTE ]
Remember to send them invites to the game per NCSoft. If they join from your invitation, you get another free month. FRIENDSHIP HAS NEVER BEEN SO CAPITALISTIC.
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What is it - direct TV with the "Free Benjamin for inviting a friend"?
Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net
Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.
Carnal,
If you are going to do a TF/SF make sure you have time, many of them have 5-10 missions (especially heroside!).
Try to find some vet players or a Super/Villaingroup that is open to new players and ask them about the STrike Forces.
Many VGs breeze through them, but going slowly the first few times is a good way to start out.
Questions about the game, either side? /t @Neuronia or @Neuronium, with your queries!
168760: A Death in the Gish. 3 missions, 1-14. Easy to solo.
Infinity Villains
Champion, Pinnacle, Virtue Heroes
Hello everyone,
After playing the trial I am very happy with this game and wish to continue playing, but I need help deciding what edition to buy. Initially I thought I had to buy the Good vs. Evil edition and then the architect edition to get the architect features. Then after looking at the architect edition more, it said that it includes City of Heroes and City of Villians.
Will I be able to buy the Architect Edition and still play both City of Heroes and City of Villians? Or does it work as an expansion pack? Thanks in advance.